Libya's war and its effect on US Communities and Social Change - Essay Example

LIBYA’S WAR AND ITS EFFECT ON U.S. COMMUNITIES AND SOCIAL CHANGE The recent crisis or civil war in Libya is one current historical event that affects the U.S. community in many aspects. Two of these clear consequences are in terms of Economy and Social Awareness. When I say economy, we all know that Libya is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and is one of the largest suppliers of oil in the world and in the U.S. The recent conflict that happened and is happening there and the growing efforts to overthrow the present government had only hampered the normal flow of commerce and international trade.

In the case of petroleum products for example, because of the war, it will take longer than usual, if not at all, to transport barrels of oil to desired destinations or buyer countries. As a result, freight is higher than normal. Retailers will then tag prices high enough to recover cost. This is what is happening in the U.S. also. As a matter of fact, one barrel of oil has reached $ 140 on 21st of March this year which is a far leap from the $ 103 per barrel price prior to the conflict. Reports said this is a direct consequence of the war.

It is a given formula that fluctuations in oil price also affect the prices of basic commodities. When this happens, inflation is simply at the doorstep of any economy like the U.S. When inflation occurs, the U.S. government will have to opt between pursuing a fiscal or monetary policy to counter inflation. To increase taxes is one scenario in a government’s fiscal policy. And when taxes increase, who suffers much? None but us, the taxpayers, the ordinary citizens! By and large, any instability in the international community in which we have a direct influence or connection, especially in the realm of commerce and international trade, we are always affected.

And it is our economy that’s always being hit first. Speaking of social awareness, I have this belief that the Libyan war/revolt did not just emerge as a natural phenomenon typical in any country ruled by a tyrant but it was triggered by some foreign forces or intervention ---- intervention that was aiming the ouster of age-old Gaddafi. Well, it may be a matter of state policy and secret strategy by our government that we ordinary people are not in the position to question about it. But come to think of it, since the cold war it is always campaign for democracy that is the reason of this government for intervening into the affairs of other governments.

That it is for humanitarian reasons. Of course other governments had once not been humane in some instances that it becomes legitimate for us to conduct operations in their country, but there is always exception to the rule. Who is perfect, anyway? No one is perfect! No one is in the right position to assume that he is always right and they are always wrong. We are already aware of it, but this time this recent intervention in Libya by the U.S. must have surely insinuated the more on every citizens of this country that beyond the pretext of humanitarian and democratic reasons, there must be something really fishy to smell.

Works Cited “Libyan War Affects Crude Oil Prices.” The Daily News Global. 21 Mar 2011. Web. 23 May 2011. European Parliament. “Understanding the War in Libya.” EconomicsNewspaper.com. n.d. Web. 23 May 2011